AlSi casting alloys combine excellent castability with high strength. Hence, this group of alloys is often used in the automotive sector. The challenge for this application is the brittle character of these alloys which leads to cracks during joint formation when mechanical joining technologies are used. A rise in ductility can be achieved by a considerable increase in the solidification rate which results in grain refinement. High solidification rates can be realized in twin–roll casting (TRC) by water‐cooled rolls. Therefore, a hypoeutectic EN AC–AlSi9 (for European Norm ‐ aluminum cast product) is manufactured by the TRC process and analyzed. Subsequently, joining investigations are performed on castings in as‐cast and heat‐treated condition using the self‐piercing riveting process considering the joint formation and the load‐bearing capacity. Due to the fine microstructure, the crack initiation can be avoided during joining, while maintaining the joining parameters, especially by specimens in heat treatment conditions. Furthermore, due to the extremely fine microstructure, the load‐bearing capacity of the joint can be significantly increased in terms of the maximum load‐bearing force and the energy absorbed.

The development of bioresorbable materials for temporary implantation enables progress in medical technology. Iron (Fe)-based degradable materials are biocompatible and exhibit good mechanical properties, but their degradation rate is low. Aside from alloying with Manganese (Mn), the creation of phases with high electrochemical potential such as silver (Ag) phases to cause the anodic dissolution of FeMn is promising. However, to enable residue-free dissolution, the Ag needs to be modified. This concern is addressed, as FeMn modified with a degradable Ag-Calcium-Lanthanum (AgCaLa) alloy is investigated. The electrochemical properties and the degradation behavior are determined via a static immersion test. The local differences in electrochemical potential increase the degradation rate (low pH values), and the formation of gaps around the Ag phases (neutral pH values) demonstrates the benefit of the strategy. Nevertheless, the formation of corrosion-inhibiting layers avoids an increased degradation rate under a neutral pH value. The complete bioresorption of the material is possible since the phases of the degradable AgCaLa alloy dissolve after the FeMn matrix. Cell viability tests reveal biocompatibility, and the antibacterial activity of the degradation supernatant is observed. Thus, FeMn modified with degradable AgCaLa phases is promising as a bioresorbable material if corrosion-inhibiting layers can be diminished.

In medical technology, implants are used to improve the quality of patients’ lives. The development of materials with adapted properties can further increase the benefit of implants. If implants are only needed temporarily, biodegradable materials are beneficial. In this context, iron‐based materials are promising due to their biocompatibility and mechanical properties, but the degradation rate needs to be accelerated. Apart from alloying, the creation of noble phases to cause anodic dissolution of the iron‐based matrix is promising. Due to its high electrochemical potential, immiscibility with iron, biocompatibility, and antibacterial properties, silver is suited for the creation of such phases. A suitable technology for processing immiscible material combinations is powder‐bed‐based procedure like laser beam melting. This procedure offers short exposure times to high temperatures and therefore a limited time for diffusion of alloying elements. As the silver phases remain after the dissolution of the iron matrix, a modification is needed to ensure their degradability. Following this strategy, pure iron with 5 wt% of a degradable silver–calcium–lanthanum alloy is processed via laser beam melting. Investigation of the microstructure yields achievement of the intended microstructure and long‐term degradation tests indicates an impact on the degradation, but no increased degradation rate.

For many applications, implants overtake body function for a certain time. Bioresorbable implants reduce patient burden as they prevent adverse consequences due to remaining implants or operations for removal. Such materials are in clinical use but do not fulfill the requirements of all applications. Iron (Fe) is promising to develop further bioresorbable materials as it offers biocompatibility and good mechanical properties. Alloying, e.g., with manganese (Mn), is necessary to adapt the mechanical behavior and the degradation rate. However, the degradation rate of FeMn is too low. The creation of phases with high electrochemical potential evokes anodic dissolution of the FeMn, increasing the degradation rate. Therefore, silver (Ag), which is insoluble with Fe, has high potential, is biocompatible, and offers antibacterial properties, can be used. Powder-based processes such as laser beam melting (LBM) are favorable to process such immiscible materials. A degradable Ag alloy has to be used to enable the dissolution of Ag phases after the FeMn. This study reports first about the successful processing of FeMn with 5 wt.% of a degradable Ag–calcium–lanthanum (AgCaLa) alloy and enables further targeted adaption due to the gained understanding of the effects influencing the morphology and the chemical composition of the Ag phases.

The current investigation shows the feasibility of 316L steel powder production via three different argon gas atomisation routes (closed coupled atomisation, free fall atomisation with and without hot gas), along with subsequent sample production by laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB). Here, a mixture of pure Fe and atomised 316L steel powder is used for PBF-LB to induce a chemical composition gradient in the microstructure. Optical microscopy and μ-CT investigations proved that the samples processed by PBF-LB exhibit very little porosity. Combined EBSD-EDS measurements show the chemical composition gradient leading to the formation of a local fcc-structure. Upon heat treatment (1100 °C, 14 h), the chemical composition is homogeneous throughout the microstructure. A moderate decrease (1060 to 985 MPa) in the sample’s ultimate tensile strength (UTS) is observed after heat treatment. However, the total elongation of the as-built and heat-treated samples remains the same (≈22%). Similarly, a slight decrease in the hardness from 341 to 307 HV1 is observed upon heat treatment.